Constrictive pericarditis-a diagnostic challenge

Constrictive pericarditis presents with protean manifestation and may masquerade as pleural effusion or as abdominal discomfort or ascites of unknown aetiology. Three cases who presented with atypical manifestations to Salmaniya Medical Centre are reported to emphasise the difficult diagnostic challenge the disease poses. The importance of eliciting subtle physical signs such as jugular venous pulsations, precordial movements and heart sounds and the common investigations to clinch the diagnosis are discussed. Timely diagnosis and prompt surgical resection of the pericardium result in gratifying results and the condition is potentially curable with good prognosis in the long term